Mop construction



July 14, 1970 T. v. MOSS MOP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 1. 1968 INVENT OR THERO/V v. Mass BY 3% M KM W n owns United States Patent 3,520,017 MOP CONSTRUCTION Theron V. Moss, 3175 Falmouth, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120 Filed Feb. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 702,262 Int. Cl. A471 13/20 US. Cl. -229 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A mop swab including a multiplicity of absorbent mop cords which are secured together adjacent the ends of the swab by strands of thread or yarn which extend transversely of the swab in and among the mop cords. The mop cords may also be secured substantially centrally of the swab in a bunched together relationship by a canvas or fabric band.

This invention relates generally as indicated to a mop construction and more particularly to a novel mop of the type constructed for maximum efficiency in mopping floors and the like.

Prior to invention of mops of the type illustrated and described in my US. Pats. 2,825,914, 3,011,198 and 3,115,658, mops generally consisted of bundles of yarn secured to an appropriate holder, ordinarily on a long handle. When such mops were used, the individual yarns had a tendency to become tangled, to unravel at the ends and also to become matted together.

The mop inventions set forth in the above-noted patents, however, represent a significant improvement in the mopping art in the provision of mop swabs in which the cords are arranged and oriented for maximum floor coverage and efficiency of water absorption. In general, such mops comprise a multiplicity of cords which are retained in a bunched central section and spread out from such central section into substantially a single layer thickness adjacent the ends of the swab. The cords are retained in such relationship preferably by a fabric tape, alone, or in combination with an underlying adhesive tape, secured to the cords by stitching.

As can be appreciated, the manufacture of such mops can present problems due to the necessity of arranging the cords, applying the fabric tape and/or adhesive tape and sewing such tape to the cords. This involves several steps in the manufacturing operation and tends to complicate the manufacture. Moreover, due to the necessity of sewing the fabric tape to the mop cords, the manufacturing process is further complicated, and a certain amount of skill is required to successfully operate sewing machines for this purpose.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide a novel mop swab in which the use of the aforenoted fabric tapes, adhesive tapes and stitching are eliminated.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved mop construction in which the mo cords are tightly secured adjacent the ends of the swab to provide an extremely durable swab.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a mop swab in which the absorbent cords are secured together adjacent the ends of the swab by strands of fine thread or yarn which extend in and among the cords transversely of the swab.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following more detailed description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawice ings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a mop swab of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing the end construction of the swab;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a modified form of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a mop swab connected to a handle.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a mop swab is represented generally by the numeral 1 in FIG. 1 and comprises a multiplicity of absorbent mop cords 2 (the term cords being used generically to include similar materials such as yarns, strands, etc.) which extend longitudinally substantially parallel to one another. The cords are preferably secured substantially centrally longitudinally of the swab in a bunched together relationship as shown at 3 by a fabric band 4. The fabric band is stitched to the cords, as shown at 5. Although a relatively wide fabric band is illustrated, the band may be of a relatively narrow width if desired. Alternatively, it may be desirable in some instances to omit entirely the fabric band, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The mop cords are secured together adjacent the ends of the swab by strands of fine thread or yarn 6 which extend in and among the mop cords transversely of the swab. At the edges of the swab, the ends of the strands are secured, as for example by bar tacking, a woven web, tying the strand ends, and/or with an adhesive, preferably a waterproof adhesive such as an epoxy cement, to prevent unraveling.

The strands will be positioned in the swab by weaving with a loom as it is manufactured, the mop cords being assembled substantially parallel to one another on a support and the strands subsequently woven among the cords. The strands may be positioned under and over each of the mop cords or under and over every two or three cords. The strands are woven very tightly into the swab to secure the ends of the cords permanently to prevent the mop cords from being pulled loose during use of the swab, during laundering, etc.

In FIG. 3, a modified form of the invention is illustrated in which the mop cords 10 are provided with looped end portions 11, the mop being generally of the type illustrated and describedv in my US. Pat. 3,324,497. This mop construction also represents a further modification of the FIGS. 1 and 2 form in that the strands 12 have been woven among the mop cords so as to provide substantially parallel sections 13 and 14 separated slightly by a section 15 having rows of single strands. It has been found that this construction very tightly secures the mop cords in the desired relationship.

In FIG. 4, the swab 20 is shown connected to a handle 21 by a conventional clamp type holder 22. It will, of course, be appreciated that other suitable connecting means can be employed to secure the swab to a handle. One example of a suitable attachment device is that illus trated and described in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 518,813, now Pat. No. 3,431,576, which may be conveniently used with swabs in which the central fabric band is omitted, as previously noted.

The woven strands will preferably be of a relatively fine yarn or thread such as cotton, although other similar materials may be used, as for example, certain synthetic threads such as rayon, nylon, etc. The area of the woven strands adjacent the ends of the swab will normally be from about A to about 3 inches as illustrated, preferably about to /2 inch. This can be varied, however, depending upon the size of the swab and the intended use thereof to provide a greater or lesser area of woven strands as may be necessary. Additionally, a plurality or rows of such woven strands spaced apart slightly or the FIG. 3 form may be used, if desired, to further secure the cords in the desired relationship.

Many materials are suitable for use in the swabs of this invention including rayon yarn or cord, blends of rayon and cotton or rayon, cotton and nylon. Bleached hemp yarn or cord blended with a small percentage of braided nylon or other synthetic plastic strands currently available,

such as Orlon and Dacron, may also be used, or alterna tively, cotton cord may be utilized.

It will thus be appreciated that the swab of this invention has eliminated the necessity of using fabric tapes and adhesive tapeto hold the mop cords in the desired relationship adjacent the ends of the swab. Similarly, such mop construction eliminates the necessity of sewing the cords into the desired relationship which considerably simplifies the manufacturing process and minimizes the expense thereof. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the mop construction of this invention provides a swab in which both surfaces of each end of the swabs are of the same construction, viz, a uniform pattern since the woven strands are the same on both surfaces. Because of this, both sides of the swab can be used for mopping purposes, which increases the serviceability of the mop.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A mop swab comprising a multiplicity of mop cords extending across the length of said swab and forming freely extending ends of said swab, said cords secured together in substantially a single layer thickness adjacent the respective ends of said swab by a plurality of strands woven into said mop cords over and under said cords transversely of said swab, and means for securing the ends of said strands adjacent the edges of said swab, said woven strands constituting the sole means by which said cords are maintained in a substantially single layer thickness adjacent said ends.

2. The mop swab of claim 1 in which said multiplicity of mop cords are secured substantially centrally longitudinally thereof in a bunched together relationship.

3. The mop swab of claim 1 in which said strands cover an area of said mop cords from approximately inch to about 3 inches in Width.

4. The mop swab of claim 1 in which said strands cover an area of said mop cords approximately /1 to about /2 inch in width.

5. The mop swab of claim 1 wherein said means for securing the'ends of said woven strands at the edges of said swab comprises a waterproof adhesive.

6. A mop swab comprising a multiplicity of absorbent mop cords extending across the length of said swab and forming freely extending ends of said swab, said cords secured together in a bunched central section substantially longitudinally thereof and joined together in substantially a single layer thickness adjacent the endsof said swab by a plurality of strands woven into said swab among said mop cords transversely thereof, and means for securing the ends ofsaid strands adjacent the edges of said swab, said woven strands constituting the sole means by which said cords are maintained in a substantially single layer thickness adjacent said ends.

7. A mop comprising a handle secured to a mop swab, said swab comprising a multiplicity of mop cords extending across the length of said swab and forming freely extending ends of said swab, said cords secured together in substantially a single layer thickness adjacent the respective ends of said swab by a plurality of strands woven into said swab among said mop cords transversely thereof, and means for securing the ends of said strands adjacent the edges of said swab, said woven strands constituting the sole means by which said cords are maintained in a substantially single layer thickness adjacent said ends.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Moss 15229.1

5 DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 139-385 

